Social tariffs that can save you up to £200 annually

Now is an ideal time to review your broadband costs and potentially secure a cheaper deal or social tariff, which could significantly boost your household budget in January. Broadband social tariffs can reduce bills to as little as £12.50 per month.

Before contacting your provider, it's advisable to check their website for any deals, as these are often exclusive to new customers. However, don't hesitate to ask for a better deal, especially if you spot an offer with the same service level but at a lower price - this tactic is known as haggling.

Consumer champion Martin Lewis strongly advocates for haggling to secure cheaper broadband and streaming subscriptions. While haggling can significantly reduce monthly costs, checking eligibility for a broadband social tariff is a simpler solution that could save up to £200 over the next year, reports the Daily Record.

Low-income State Pensioners claiming Pension Credit, or those receiving benefits such as Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Income Support, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) may be eligible for a social tariff. A comprehensive list of participating providers is available on the Ofcom website.

The fastest way to determine if you're eligible for a social tariff is to contact your broadband provider directly. Even if you don't qualify, they may be able to suggest other methods to lower your bill.

It can be tricky to know if the benefit you're receiving qualifies for a social tariff, so we've compiled a list of all available social tariffs and the benefits that make you eligible. A system established in 2022 allows broadband providers to quickly check eligibility by accessing a special Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT